Home|Sports|Clarke, Mackey close regular season with winsSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 19, 2023 269 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Sydney Clarke and Elana Mackey closed out their collegiate tennis regular season with wins, and Clarke will prepare for the Conference-USA (C-USA) Championships that is set to get underway on Thursday.

Clarke and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Blazers head into the 2023 C-USA Tennis Championships after ending the regular season with a 6-1 victory over the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders on Saturday. The Blazers finished the season with a 9-9 win/loss overall record and a 2-2 C-USA record.

Mackey and the Mars Hill University Lions finished the season at 8-12 with their final victory being a 4-3 triumph over the Coker University Cobras on Monday. The Lions are out of playoff contention in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).

For the Blazers, Clarke and doubles partner Maggie White teamed up to help the team win the doubles point. They took care of the Blue Raiders’ Love-Star Alexis and Muskan Gupta, 6-4. With that win, the Blazers duo improved to 12-6 on the season.

The Bahamian helped the Blazers in the singles portion of the dual matchup, playing in the second singles spot. The match went the distance and ended with Clarke winning. She lost the first set 7-6 before bouncing back to win the second set, 6-4. She came out on top in the third set tiebreak, 10-7.

The Blue Raiders’ only point came in singles when Love-Star took down the Blazers’ Adela Wasserbauerova.

The Blazers ended the season on a two-game winning streak. Clarke has a 14-14 overall record in singles play.

The win puts the Blazers at ninth in the C-USA standings. They will play the eighth-place University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners on Thursday at noon at the Waranch Tennis Complex in Denton, Texas.

The win on Monday broke a seven-game losing streak for Mackey and the Lions.

Mackey and her doubles partner Amanda Kadiri had a dominant match against the Cobras’ Jessica Binzari and Angelina Krieg. They won 6-0, but the Lions lost the doubles point.

In the singles section, Mackey played in the number one slot. She lost 6-4 and 6-1 to Binzari.

Mackey sported a 13-5 record in singles. She and doubles partner Kadiri finished the season with a 10-7 record playing together.

https://thenassauguardian.com/clarke-mackey-close-regular-season-with-wins/

 Home|Sports|Parents of CARIFTA triathlon and aquathlon athletes request safer roadsSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailApril 19, 2023 299 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Parents of the Bahamian CARIFTA triathlon and aquathlon team members continue to express concerns about a lack of road safety for cyclists and runners here in The Bahamas.

The qualifying events for CARIFTA 2023 are now taking place, from March to May, and the training locations to prepare for these CARIFTA qualifying events are still subject to safety issues from motorists who are not aware or appear to be sensitive to these young athletes training on their bicycles and running on the sides of the road, according to the group of parents.

Some of the parents are calling for road safety signs to be placed at strategic locations where these athletes train the most to help motorists develop a sense of awareness and protection for these athletes and other road users most vulnerable to direct injuries from contact with vehicles.

The 2023 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon events will be held in The Bahamas, August 26-27. This is the year to promote these two events in this country and the promotion of road safety is just as important for these athletes, said the group of parents. The development of a road safety culture should be extended to include other cyclists, runners and pedestrians, according to the parents.

The 2022 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon events took place in Bermuda, November 12-13, 2022. A total of 20 athletes from The Bahamas participated, ranging in ages from 11 to 19 years. Overall, Team Bahamas performed well, coming in fifth out of eight countries. The team members won two silver medals and one bronze medal.

Leading up to CARIFTA 2022, the team trained consistently, four days of the week, for almost six months, dedicating Saturday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. to cycling from Jaws Beach around Albany and Clifton Pier, and Sunday mornings from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. training in all three triathlon events. These early hours were selected as there were less vehicles on the roads, thus safer for the young athletes to train.

Despite training at these early hours, using proper cycling gear with lights and bright-colored tri-suits and/or helmets, riding in groups in straight lines, and having a lead vehicle in the front and two other vehicles in the back, there were too many incidences where the children had close encounters with cars being driven at high speeds or not wanting to wait for an appropriate time to overtake them, as according to the group of parents.

“As parents, we stayed for the training sessions and often stood at strategic locations along the children’s cycling and running routes to wave and call out to cars that were either speeding or trying to overtake the athletes when there could have been a risk of impact,” said a parent of one of the athletes of the 2022 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon team. “These incidences affected us terribly and definitely affected the confidence of the athletes to train on the roads. Our children relayed to us feeling the wind of the vehicles speeding past them, traveling too closely. There was an incident when an 11-year-old athlete, while cycling, tried to turn into Jaws Beach from the southwestern road and a motorcycle traveling behind him did not want to stop to allow him to turn. The motorist sped around him, stopping him from making the turn.

“These examples are not acceptable. These are our children training on the roads of the country that they want to represent at regional and international events. The fact that they are using the roads as cyclists and runners should be enough of a reason for motorists to reduce their speed and become vigilant to their presence. If they were hit, they would be injured or killed.

“As parents of this team of young triathlon athletes, we are requesting safer roads for our children to train. The only way to protect our athletes is to make motorists more aware of their presence as road users. This means putting up road signage, creating cycle lanes that motorists cannot enter, and insisting on moderate speeds for these training areas.

“There are too many unconscious drivers who do not value the safety of the most vulnerable road users. Putting up road signage, cycle lanes and reduced speed limits will help to create an awareness of road safety for all road users, including our young athletes who want to excel in their sport and represent The Bahamas well.”

As mentioned, training is underway for spots on this year’s CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon team. The 2023 CARIFTA Triathlon and Aquathlon events are set for August 26-27 in The Bahamas.

https://thenassauguardian.com/parents-of-carifta-triathlon-and-aquathlon-athletes-request-safer-roads/

 Home|Sports|Jones, Strachan on the riseSports

Bahamian young men reaching global standards; first and second in the world in their respective disciplines

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 18, 2023 339 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Led by a pair of young men who are looking to make their mark in athletics globally, The Bahamas is setting itself up for a strong performance at this summer’s world championships.

Terrence Jones and Keyshawn Strachan are both national record holders in their respective disciplines – the men’s 100 meters (m) and the men’s javelin – and both are young rising stars in athletics.

Jones tied a 16-year-old Bahamian national record at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday. When Jones said his coach had visions of him running 9.8 this season, many thought it might have been a bit far-fetched for the Bahamian who had never cracked the 10-second barrier prior to this season. In fact, no Bahamian other than national record holder Derrick Atkins had accomplished that.

Jones showed that not only is he on target to accomplish that 9.8 milestone, but that he could be a force at this summer’s world championships as well, possibly in contention for a medal.

Just 20, the Bahamian collegiate athlete at Texas Tech University, a junior, ran a blistering 9.91 seconds to win the college men’s 100m on Saturday. He was in a class by himself, the only one in the field to go under 10 seconds, and in so doing, became just the second Bahamian behind Atkins to run sub-10. He can also lay claim to being the fastest Bahamian man ever, tying Atkins’ 16-year-old national record.

Jones, who won the 60m dash at the 2023 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I (DI) Indoor Championships, is the only collegiate athlete to run sub-10 in the men’s 100m outdoors so far this season. His teammate Courtney Lindsey was second in that race on Saturday in a time of 10.04 seconds, and Florida State University’s (FSU) Amir Willis was third, finishing in 10.08 seconds.

The blazing time by Jones ties the Bahamian national record of 9.91 seconds that was done by Atkins for the silver medal at the 2007 Osaka World Championships, it is a qualifying time for this year’s world championships, and it is the fastest time in the world for 2023. His previous personal best in the men’s 100m was 10.03 seconds, ran at the NCAA East Preliminaries in Fayetteville, Arkansas, last year.

In addition to his world lead in the 100m, Jones is third in the world on World Athletics Top Performance list for 2023 in the men’s 200m, with a personal best of 20.05 seconds that was ran at the Texas Relays at the Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas, a couple weeks ago.

Jones is one of eight Bahamian athletes to qualify for the Budapest World Championships so far, and he is the only one to do so in two individual events (men’s 100 and 200m). The others are Steven Gardiner (men’s 200m), Alonzo Russell (men’s 400m), LaQuan Nairn (men’s long jump), Anthonique Strachan (women’s 100m), TyNia Gaither (women’s 200m), Devynne Charlton (women’s 100m hurdles) and Charisma Taylor (women’s triple jump).

Keyshawn Strachan may not be among the qualifiers as yet, but the 19-year-old is on track to get there, throwing a massive personal best of 84.27m (276’ 5”) in the men’s javelin at the Texas Relays. He was back in action over the weekend and the Auburn University freshman picked up another victory, throwing 76.97m (252’ 6”) at the Tom Jones Memorial in Gainesville. He was followed by Baylor University’s Chinecherem Nnamdi with a throw of 70.75m (232’ 1”), and Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Jackson Rimes recorded a throw of 65.23m (214’) to place third.

The qualifying mark in the men’s javelin for the athletics world championships is 85.20m (279’ 6”) and Strachan is just shy of that mark. He is at number two in the world for 2023, trailing just D.P. Manu, of India, who had a world-leading throw of 84.33m (276’ 8”) in Bengaluru, India, over the weekend.

Strachan is the national record holder in the men’s javelin, owning the 13 best throws in Bahamian history. The next closest to him is Denzel Pratt who had a best effort of 70.72m (232’) in 2017. Since Strachan initially broke Pratt’s national record in 2021, he has owned that event here in The Bahamas and pretty much in the region, too.

Other Bahamians in the top 20 globally outdoors include Anthonique Strachan, who is tied for seventh in the women’s 100m (11.02 seconds) and 15th in the women’s 200m (22.70 seconds); Anthaya Charlton, who is 17th in the women’s 100m (11.13 seconds); her older sister Devynne Charlton, who is sixth in the women’s 100m hurdles (12.64 seconds); Charisma Taylor, who is 13th in the women’s triple jump (13.58m – 44’ 6-3/4”); Steven Gardiner, who is tied for seventh in the men’s 200m (20.14 seconds); Alonzo Russell, who is eighth in the men’s 400m (44.73 seconds) and Shaun Miller Jr., who is in an 11-way tie for 17th in the men’s high jump (2.20m – 7’ 2-1/2”).

The 19th World Athletics Championships is set for August 19-27 at the National Athletics Centre in Budapest, Hungary.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-strachan-on-the-rise/

 Home|Sports|Lord Coe had nothing but high praise for the CARIFTA GamesSports

Sheldon LongleySend an emailApril 18, 2023 230 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

World Athletics President Lord Sebastian Coe calls the CARIFTA Games the greatest junior athletics meet in the world where special talent is revealed and where future athletic stars are born. No wonder he keeps returning year after year to the Caribbean region for the annual sports showcase.

The 50th Oaktree CARIFTA Games wrapped up over the Easter holiday weekend at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Lord Coe wasn’t just a special guest at the event, he also served as the patron of the “Let’s Move Bahamas” CARIFTA Fun Run/Walk on Easter Monday and also participated, finishing in the top five. He had nothing but high praise for the CARIFTA movement and the organization of the 50th edition of the CARIFTA Games over the Easter holiday weekend.

“CARIFTA is the first event every ear that goes into my calendar. I have not missed one since 2015,” said Lord Coe. “Everyone has asked me what is going to happen when Usain (Jamaican track legend Usain Bolt) leaves the sport, and he has left the sport. He is a Herculean performer and he is missed, but I always say that if you want to see the future of track and field, come to the CARIFTA Games. This experience is huge and the athletes take it through their careers. It’s a very important building block for them, and for us in World Athletics, it is a very important aspect of our development programs.”

Lord Coe, a two-time Olympic champion in the men’s 1,500 meters (m) event, was elected president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), now World Athletics, in August of 2015. He is a proponent for gender quality in sports, but has openly stated that “gender cannot trump biology” when deciding whether transgender athletes should compete against females.

As it relates to the CARIFTA Games, Lord Coe said he is excited about the level of talent on display, stating that more and more athletes are moving away from the 

marquee events and experiencing success elsewhere. He also praised the resilience of athletes everywhere.

“Clearly, running is the staple diet in the Caribbean, but I am delighted that over the years that I have been coming to CARIFTA, I have witnessed many more athletes taking part in the field events and I’ve watched some really competitive middle distance events, so the interest is picking up in other events,” he said. “I think athletes in general have shown massive resilience, particularly during COVID, and I must pay tribute to them for that. It would have been very easy for some of them to hide away and maybe not come back to the sport but we survived in large part due to the creativity of our member federations. Above all and beyond all, the athletes showed massive resilience, fortitude and focus during that incredibly difficult period. The athletes have really been at the top of their game. Arguably, they have come back stronger than they were before COVID.”

Lord Coe said the CARIFTA Games is a part of their global strategy on development in athletics.

“We want to see it grow and become even more central in the development of the young athletes and I would like other area associations to look at it as a template going forward,” he said.

This year, Lord Coe is celebrating his 20th year on the council of World Athletics. From he entered the administrative aspect of the sport globally, he said the world relays was always a topic of interest at council meetings, and added that it took too long for them to bring it to fruition.

The World Athletics Relays return to the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in The Bahamas in 2024 after a seven-year absence. The first three editions were held in The Bahamas in 2014, 2015 and again in 2017. The 2019 event was moved to Yokohama Japan, and the 2021 world relays were held in Chorzów, Poland.

“The atmosphere when the relays are on is simply outstanding and the relays itself contribute in large part to that. Bringing the world relays to this part of the world again will only help to cement them,” said Lord Coe. “It took us too long to get to the world relays. I spoke about the need for us to be nimble and make quick decisions – in turning our creative thinking into practical applications. The world relays here were outstanding. They’re back and I’m truly delighted. Pauline (Bahamian track legend Pauline Davis) was instrumental in ensuring that we get the relays back here in The Bahamas and I’m delighted that the Bahamian government has come to the table and is really supportive in wanting to bring them back. This is an island that understands track and field preeminently. Pauline Davis has been my colleague on the World Athletics Council for many years, and if by chance, I didn’t remember how important track and field was to the Bahamian landscape, she would remind me every hour on the hour.”

The 2024 World Athletics Relays is tentatively set for the end of April/beginning of May next year. Lord Coe said he looks forward to returning to The Bahamas for that mega event.

https://thenassauguardian.com/lord-coe-had-nothing-but-high-praise-for-the-carifta-games/

 Home|Sports|Bahamians take part in collegiate volleyballSports

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Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 18, 2023 179 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The collegiate volleyball season is winding down and Bahamians were in action over the weekend looking to help their schools claim conference titles on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II circuit.

Five Bahamians are on the Benedict College Tigers team which head into the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Volleyball Tournament on a three-game winning streak. On Saturday, they took down Fort Valley State three sets to two.

The McKendree University Bearcats’ Kyle Wilson was instrumental in helping them to be the first number seven seed in history to win a game in a Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) Tournament.

Heading into the tournament, the Bearcats were on a 10-game losing streak and finished the season with a 6-15 win/loss record and a 1-13 conference record. That did not discourage them as they took down number two seeded Loyola University Chicago Ramblers in their first game of the MIVA Tournament.

The Ramblers won the first set, 25-21. The Bearcats and the Ramblers were in a fierce battle in the second set and the Bearcats held on to win, 25-23. The Bearcats went into the third set ready to play and won that set, 25-20, to take a 2-1 lead. The Bearcats let the fourth set slip away, losing that set to the Ramblers, 25-20. The Ramblers tied the match at two sets apiece. In the fifth and decisive set, the Bearcats won, 15-12.

Wilson finished the game with 21 kills. He also had two aces, one block and an assist.

The win puts them in the MIVA semifinals where they will take on the Ohio State University Buckeyes. That match will take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Covelli Center in Columbus, Ohio.

For the Tigers, Bahamians Ras Jesse Delancy, Donovan Wilmott, Terran Walkin, Clint Forbes and Zion Beckford were in action. They end their season with an 11-7 record, 7-4 SIAC. They are third in the SIAC standings.

In their final game, Benedict won in five sets over Fort Valley State, prevailing 25-22, 14-25, 21-25-21, 27-25 and 15-9.

Delancy led the way with 29 kills while Beckford and Wilmott had 14 and nine kills, respectively. Walkin and Delancy had two aces each in the win. Wilmott finished the game with a team-high four blocks while Beckford had three. Walkin and Forbes finished with four and three assists, respectively. Forbes finished with 15 digs and Walkin had 12 digs.

The next fixture on the Tigers’ schedule will be announced later. That game will be on Thursday in the SIAC tournament.

https://thenassauguardian.com/bahamians-take-part-in-collegiate-volleyball/

 Home|Sports|Jones ties fastest Bahamian markSports

He becomes the second Bahamian to run sub-10 seconds in the 100m

Simba FrenchSend an emailApril 17, 2023 388 3 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

Bahamian Terrence Jones put on a show for the crowd in attendance when he tore up the Percy Beard Track at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, tying the Bahamian national record in the men’s 100 meters (m). Jones lay his claim to being The Bahamas’ fastest man ever, sprinting to a personal best clocking of 9.91 seconds on Saturday.

Jones’ time boosts him up in the big leagues as he matched the national record time of Derrick Atkins from International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF), now World Athletics, World Championships in Osaka, Japan, in August 2007. Atkins won a silver medal with that time.

As for Jones, this was his fifth time running the event collegiately, but first for the 2023 season.

The Grand Bahama native ran the seventh fastest time on the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) all-time list. Jones is now the second Texas Tech Red Raiders athlete to run that event in sub-10 seconds in school history. Devine Oduduru was the first, accomplishing the feat in 2019.

Jones, who won the 60m dash at the 2023 NCAA Division I (DI) Indoor Championships, has the fastest time in the NCAA DI rankings and he’s also the world leader. The Texas Tech junior is the only collegiate athlete to run sub-10 so far this season, and with that time, he’s also qualified in that event for the World Outdoor Championships this summer, adding to the qualifying time he has in the 200m. The 19th World Outdoor Championships is set for August 19-27, in Budapest, Hungary.

Jones’ teammate Courtney Lindsey was second in that race on Saturday with a time of 10.04 seconds. Florida State University’s (FSU) Amir Willis was third with a time of 10.08 seconds.

The Bahamian and Lindsey teamed up with Adam Clayton and Don’dre Swift to run the 4x100m. The quartet was third, finishing in 38.60 seconds. Gainesville Elite won that race after crossing the finish line in 38.28 seconds.

Bahamian Antoine Andrews was also in action for the Red Raiders. Andrews placed sixth in the 110m hurdles after posting a time of 13.66 seconds.

Keyshawn Strachan’s collegiate career is off to a great start. The 19-year-old threw the javelin 76.97m (252’ 6”) on his third attempt to win at his second consecutive meet for Auburn University. He threw over 70 meters in the four attempts he took.

Strachan was followed by Baylor University’s Chinechrem Prosper. He was over six yards behind Strachan with a throw of 70.75m (232’ 1”). Louisiana State University’s (LSU) Jackson Rimes recorded a throw of 65.23m (214’) to place third.

University of Tennessee’s senior Charisma Taylor clocked a wind-aided 12.84 seconds to finish second in the collegiate women’s 100m hurdles. The University of Central Florida’s Rayniah Jones clocked 12.80 seconds to win that event. Coastal Carolina University’s Alexis Glasco finished third in a time of 12.91 seconds.

Taylor was not finished for the meet as she was in the triple jump pit. She posted a leap of 13.58m (44’ 6-3/4”) to take home the bronze medal. Winning that event was Dominica’s Thea LaFond with a leap of 14.13m (46’ 4-1/4”). The University of Florida’s Jasmine Moore finished second after recording a leap of 13.91m (45’ 7-3/4”).

Alonzo Russell was on the track in the men’s 400m. He powered his way across the finish line in a blistering 44.73 seconds, placing second, and tying Troy McIntosh and LaToy Williams for fifth on the all-time list among Bahamians. Adidas’ Jereem Richards won that event after posting a time of 44.68 seconds. Richards’ club teammate Noah Williams ran 45.22 seconds for third.

Devynne Charlton made her outdoor season debut, competing in the Olympic Development 100m hurdles. The hurdler opened her season with a blistering time of 12.64 seconds which was her fastest season opener ever. She finished third. Nike’s Nia Ali was the winner after clearing the hurdles in 12.53 seconds. Winning the silver medal was reigning world champion in the hurdles Tobi Amusan, who ran for Adidas, finishing in 12.59 seconds.

Charlton also ran in the 100m dash and placed 11th overall with a time of 11.66 seconds.

Devynne’s younger sister Anthaya Charlton was in action for the University of Kentucky. She ran in the 200m and the 4x100m relay. She was 34th overall in the 200m posting a personal best of 23.47 seconds. The freshman ran the second leg of the 4x100m relay and helped her team that included Victoria Perrow, Masai Russell and Karimah Davis to a first-place finish in 43.12 seconds. Ohio State ran 43.27 seconds for second. Tumbleweed Track Club was third with a time of 43.63 seconds.

Shaun Miller Jr. was in the high jump competition for the Ohio State University Buckeyes. He cleared 2.14m (7’ 0-1/4”). That height placed him tied for fourth place with Oakland University’s Alex Hugh-Plot. Mississippi State University’s Tony Jones won that event with a height of 2.19m (7’ 2-1/4”).

Also competing at the Tom Jones Invitational were Ohio State’s Adrian Curry and Oscar Smith, and Purdue University’s Zachary Evans. Curry placed 34th overall in the 100m with a time of 10.54 seconds and Evans placed 48th with a time of 10.69 seconds. Smith ran the 110m hurdles and was 14th overall after running 13.91 seconds.

https://thenassauguardian.com/jones-ties-fastest-bahamian-mark/

As of Friday, April 14, 2023

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#By BRENT STUBBS

#Senior Sports Reporter

#bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

#The return of the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s National Basketball Championships saw the New Providence champions Giants produce mixed results as competition in the weekend tournament got underway at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium.

#While the Your Essential Giants prevailed 84-62 over the Net Rippaz from Abaco, the Commonwealth Bank Giants fell to the Abaco Showtime Ballers 75-66 in an upset in the division one encounter as the BBF hosted its first national championships since the COVID-19 pandemic struck the world of sports in 2020.

#Despite the split in their games, Commonwealth Bank’s head coach Perry Thompson said their pair of Giants, still basking in their success at the NPBA Finals a few weeks ago, will still be the team to beat at the end of the tournament on Saturday night.

#As for Abaco, pro baller Godfrey Rolle Jr said this is just a taste of what is to come as they rebound from the devastation of Hurricane Dorian that put sports on the back burner as they tried to revitalise their living conditions.

#It came down to who wanted it the most before a sparse crowd of spectators.

#Showtime Ballers 75,

#Giants 66

#Home for a break from playing in Europe, Rolle Jr said he was delighted to be able to lead his Abaco team to a big victory on the opening night of the tournament, which also serves as a prelude to the return of the Bahamas Games in July.

#The national team point guard joined Brandon Meadows in scoring 18 points apiece to pace their attack. Rolle also had eight rebounds, three steals and two assists, while Meadows added seven rebounds with a pair of block shots.

#Chancey Cooper Jr, who formerly played in New Providence, helped out with 17 points and eight rebounds. Versatile Grand Bahamian Leon Cooper, who is also officiating in the tournament, chipped in with nine points with five rebounds and Robert Joseph made his presence felt with six points.

#“We didn’t get a lot of practice in, but it feels good to come out here and get the win,” Rolle Jr said. “This was a good game to test us. Everybody came out and played together. We ran some different line-ups against them to see how we can play it out and we did what we had to do to get the win. More to go.”

#Commonwealth Bank rode the 17 points and three-rebound effort from Dylan Musgrove, while Salathial Dean went to work on the inside with a double-double – 11 points and 14 rebounds.

#Although they also got 10 points from Lerecus Armbrister, nine from Jordan Wilson with seven rebounds, eight points and six rebounds from Jacob and seven points and seven rebounds from Adrian Thompson, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.

#“It was a rough night for us. We were kind of shorthanded. Our bigs were not able to make it down in time, but nevertheless, we gave it our all,” Thompson Sr said. “They played a good game. We just have to come back and rebound tomorrow and get back into the thick of things.”

#The game was keenly contested right up to the fourth quarter when the Showtime Ballers out-classed the Giants.

#In fact, the game was tied at 49-49 at the end of the third. But Abaco took advantage of a couple costly turnovers and they hit a few three-pointers and made the most of their trip to the charity stripe to complete their free throws when it counted the most down the stretch.

#Commonwealth Bank trailed 24-19 at the end of the first quarter, but they fought back to surge ahead 38-36 at the half.

#Giants 84,

#Net Rippaz 62

#Matthew Saunders led a balanced scoring attack for YES with 24 points and two rebounds that rallied from a slow start in the firdt half, but turned up the hest in the second.

#Three other players scored in double figures to aid in their attack.

#Shimar Rolle scored 18 points with five rebounds and a pair of steals; Brandon Strachan had 11 points, four steals, three assists and as many rebounds and Anderias Black had 10 points with five rebounds and two steals.

#For Abaco, Brandon Francis scored 13 points with nine rebounds and Eugene Ferguson contributed 10 points with three rebounds

#“Although we were not at full strength, we have the potential to win this thing, once we can stay out of foul trouble,” said Thompson Sr, who filled in for the YES’ coach Mark Hanna. “We haven’t had a chance to practice since we were off for about two weeks. But like division one, we hope our division II team will win this whole thing.”

#The Net Rippaz came out smoking, taking a 23-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. But tge Giants got their act together and posted a 45-33 advantage at the half. They came out of the break and surged ahead 63-46 at the end of the third a d they coasted to victory the rest of the way.

#The Central Andros Elites were scheduled to take on the South Andros Defenders in another division II contest last night, but that game wasn’t played. The division one nightcap between the Albacone Construction Fugees against the Bimini Marlins was played, but no scores were available at press time.

#The tournament action picks up today at 10;30 am and will continue throughout the day. On Saturday’s final day of competition, action will commence at 9 am, culminating with the championship games in both divisions at 7:30 and 9 pm.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/14/national-basketball-championships-begin/?news

BATON EXCHANGE: Darvinique Dean gets ready to pass the baton to Jamiah Nabbie during yesterday evening’s CARIFTA Games practice session at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Photo: Tenajh Sweeting

As of Thursday, April 6, 2023

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#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#The Bahamas CARIFTA team is ready to win gold on home soil at this year’s 50th CARIFTA Games.

#Last week the team rolled out a full 80-member team for the first time in Bahamian history as athletes look to shine at The Bahamas’ record ninth hosting of CARIFTA.

#With the countdown for the event now down to zero as the opening ceremony for the event will take place 4pm tomorrow at the Thomas A Robinson stadium, first-time athletes are ready to leave it all on the track and field.

#The Bahamas’ 80-member team has more than 50 first-time athletes on this year’s team. Among this year’s first timers is none other than Amari Pratt. The under 20 performer initially qualified for CARIFTA in 2020 but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was cancelled. However, she is happy to make her CARIFTA debut on home soil.

#“I am kind of excited. I know what I came to do. I am just going to execute my race the best I can and try to come home with the gold,” Pratt said.

#She said she is very excited to see her hometown crowd, including her friends and family. She also looks forward to the support of the Bahamians.

#Darvinique Dean is also set to make her CARIFTA debut in under 17 girls 400m race and 400m hurdles. Dean secured her spot on this year’s CARIFTA team by qualifying in the under 17 400m race with a time of 56.58 which bested the qualifying mark of 56.64 at the CARIFTA trials and nationals.

#“I am very excited. I am glad that I am here to represent my country. I am glad that I am doing it at home so people can know who I am and to just do well,” Dean said.

#She said physically she placed emphasis on her diet and mentally she tries to get a full night of rest in preparation for morning practice while also having a play no games mindset.

#Melvinique Gibson will look to make her name known in her CARIFTA debut in the under 20 girls 4x100m race and possibly the 4x400m relays.

#Gibson talked about how it felt to be selected to an historic team.

#“It feels good, it feels like a dream come true and everything I said last time just came into fruition so I thank God most of all,” she said.

#She added that she feels 100% ready physically and that she goes the extra mile to practice at home after evening sessions to give herself an extra push ahead of her big debut.

#Shayann Demeritte will look to make the country proud in the 100m and 200m race. Demeritte qualified for CARIFTA multiple times throughout the track season leading up the 50th edition of the games. Demeritte talked about how it feels knowing she will compete in front of a home crowd.

#“I am very excited because I know that The Bahamas will come out to support and I know that they will have our backs,” she said.

Subway Bahamas comes on board as a bronze level sponsor of the 50th CARIFTA Games in Nassau over the Easter weekend. Pictured, from left to right, are Dion Miller, Subway operations manager, Shantika Jones, Subway multi-unit manager, Lynden Maycock, LOC chairman, and Fernerin Hanna, marketing director.

#The under 17 athlete added that she is mentally preparing through prayer and physically she is working on starting stronger to be in tip top shape for her three events (100m, 200m, 4×100 relays) at CARIFTA.

#Madison Moss is excited to make her CARIFTA debut in the under 17 girls 100m hurdles action.

#She said that although she is excited it is kind of nerve-wrecking knowing that it is going to be home but physically she credits long practices, long evenings, and early mornings for what she will be able to do in the event.

#For the boys, some of this year’s Team Bahamas first-timers are Adam Musgrove, Eagan Neely, Laquan Ellis, Zion Hendfield, and Johnathan Fowler.

#Musgrove is set to compete in this year’s under 20 boys 100m and 200m race.

#“It feels amazing, it feels like a dream come through,” he said.

#He added that competing at home will definitely give the team an advantage from the thrill of the crowd to step a little harder, throw a little further, and jump a little longer.

#Eagan Neely will perform for The Bahamas in the 400m race for the first time. He said that so far he is enjoying the experience of being a CARIFTA athlete and he cannot wait to compete against all the different countries.

#Laquan Ellis, will look to leap for gold in Easter weekend’s triple jump event. The athlete grew up in Bimini but studies abroad and decided to compete at this year’s event after missing the last one due to injury.. Ellls talked about his mindset going into his CARIFTA debut.

#“It feels great, it’s a blessing nonetheless and I am pretty proud to be able to represent my country,” he said.

#Zion Hendfield, first time competitor at CARIFTA, will look to make his parents and country proud at this year’s games in the 800m race.

#He said he feels like his own special person and it feels great to make it and achieve something his parents could be proud of.

#Johnathan Fowler, will look to bring home gold for the “G” team at this year’s 50th CARIFTA games. Fowler said the third time’s the charm as he missed the first CARIFTA he was selected to, the second time the games were not hosted, and now the third he is ready to go.

#He added that he is very excited and feels extremely blessed. The young athlete said it feels like he is in the best shape of his life and he is ready to compete in front of the home crowd.

#Pharez Cooper, team manager of Team Bahamas, said chemistry has been a big factor in practice sessions with athletes.

#Cooper said the team got together for the first time at a church service on Sunday and the officials immediately noticed some synergy between them.

#“Chemistry is very important not just on the field but with each other as individuals you can’t just have challenges or malice in between the teammates,” Cooper said.

#He added that being on the same wavelength is important as well and matching the capabilities of their teammates. Like many of the first-time athletes Cooper believes the home advantage will lift Team Bahamas to a CARIFTA win.

#Additionally, he finished by saying practice sessions have been very beneficial because it is the athletes going against other really good athletes and he believes that things are coming along well and Team Bahamas is just about ready.

As of Tuesday, April 11, 2023

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#8.17pm: In the final race of the games, the 4 x 400m U-20 Boys final, Jamaica wins gold (3:07.68), Trinidad & Tobago the silver (3:09.97) and Grenada comes in third for the bronze (3:10.59). The Bahamas finished in fourth with 3:12.96.

#8.02pm: BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: The Bahamas wins bronze in the 4 x 400m U-20 Girls final in 3:47.68. Jamaica takes the gold with 3:33.35 and Trinidad & Tobago won silver with 3:44.19.

#7.44pm: SILVER MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: The Bahamas lands the silver in the 4 x 400m U-17 Boys final with 3:20.17. Jamaica wins gold with 3:19.04 and Trinidad & Tobago bronze with 3:23.74.

#7.36pm: BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: The Bahamas has won the bronze in the 4 x 400m U-17 Girls Final with a time of 3:51.60. Jamaica took the gold with 3:43.44 and Barbados the silver with 3:50.49.

#6.41pm: BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: Adam Musgrove takes bronze in the 200m U-20 Boys Final with 20.96. Jamaica’s Malique Smith-Band won gold with 20.69, Javourne Dunkley (JAM) got the silver with 20.88.

#6.29pm: BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: In a dramatic 200m U-20 Girls Final which saw two false starts, Amari Pratt won the bronze with 24.17. Sanaa Frederick (TTO) took gold with 23.60 and Kenyatta Grate (IVB) won silver with 24.11.

#6.15pm: GOLD AND BRONZE MEDALS FOR THE BAHAMAS: Cayden Smith wins gold in the 200m U-17 Boys Final with a time of 21.70, his teammate Andrew Brown takes the bronze with 22.03. Ethan Sam (GRN) won silver with 21.96.

#6.07pm: GOLD MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: Jamiah Nabbie lands her second gold of these games by winning the 200m U-17 Girls Final in a time of 23.67. Naomi London (LCA) took silver with 23.72 and Natrece East (JAM) won bronze with 23.85.

#5.22pm: In the 800m U-20 Girls Final, The Bahamas missed out on the medals with Jasmine Mackey and Treasure Burrows finishing fifth and sixth respectively. Michelle Smith of US Virgin Islands won the gold with 2:09.71, Layla Haynes (BAR) silver with 2:11.90 and Victoria Guerrier (HAI) bronze with 2:11.99.

#5.15pm: The Bahamas’ Tyrone Conliffe missed out on a medal place in the 800m U-17 Boys Final, with Javon Roberts of Guyana winning gold, Delano Todd (JAM) taking silver and Brandon Leacock (TTO) winning bronze.

#4.51pm: Results from the 800m U-17 Girls Final – Alikay Reynolds of Jamaica won the gold with 2:14.67, Ashlyn Simmons (BAR) took silver with 2:16.28 and Chanecia Bryan (BAR) won the bronze with 2:16.81. Erin Barr and Akaree Roberts finished fifth and sixth with 2:21.50 and 2:21.95 respectively.

Silver medal winner Otto Laing. Photo: Moise Amisial

#4.15pm: SILVER MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: Otto Laing wins the silver in the 110m Hurdles U-20 Boys Final. Jamaica’s Demario Prince took the gold with 13.37 and Shaquane Gordon (JAM) won bronze with 13.54. Trayshaun Robinson of The Bahamas came fifth with 14.05.

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#3.59pm: BRONZE MEDAL FOR THE BAHAMAS: Quinton Rolle wins the bronze with 14.49 in the 110m Hurdles U-17 Boys Final. Jamaica’s Kahiem Carby took gold with 13.49 with his teammate, Shakir Lewis, winning the silver with 14.20. Kenny Moxey Jr of The Bahamas came fourth in 14.58.

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#3.46pm: Gold and silver for Jamaica again – this time in the 100m Hurdles U-20 Girls Final. Alexis James takes gold with 13.06, Asharria Ulette the silver with 13.24 and Nya Browne (BAR) the bronze with 13.80.

#3.39pm: Jamaica’s Bryana Davidson wins gold in the 100m Hurdles U-17 Girls Final with 13.31. Camoy Binger (JAM) takes silver with 13.51 and Zsa Zsa Frans (CUW) lands the bronze with 14.26.

#3.32pm: After an extended break due to the rain, the events are about to restart.

Apryl Adderley

Lanaisha Lubin

#12.07pm: U20 Girls Long Jump Final results. Gianna Paul of Trinidad and Tobago took the gold with 5.80m. Berchecycke Sherellethy (VAN) won silver, and Lynn Antoine (TTO) took the bronze. The Bahamas’ Apryl Adderley and Lanaisha Lubin were fifth and eighth respectively.

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#12.00pm: GOLD AND SILVER MEDALS FOR THE BAHAMAS: Kamera Strachan has won gold in the Javelin Throw U-17 Girls Final with 46.07m on her second attempt – a CARIFTA record. Her teammate Dior-Rae Scott took the silver with 45.13. Naya Jules (LCA) won bronze with 42.92m.

#10.48am: The 4x100m U-20 Boys final is scheduled to be rerun this afternoon after a protest was lodged about last night’s race. The Bahamas had finished in second place.

#9.49am: Otto Laing of The Bahamas will also compete in the 110m Hurdles U-20 Boys final. He finishes second with 13.89 in the second semi final. Shaquane Gordon of Jamaica is first with 13.72 and Nikkolia Kennedy (BAR) was in third place with 14.27.

#9.43am: Trayshaun Robinson of The Bahamas goes into the final of the 110m Hurdles U-20 Boys. He finishes second in his semi final with 14.11 behind Demario Prince of Jamaica with 13.78 and ahead of Jadon Pearce (BAR) with 14.41.

#9.30am: Madison Moss of The Bahamas misses out on a final place in the 100m Hurdles U-17 Girls. She finishes seventh in semi final 1 with 15.45. Bryana Davidson of Jamaica is first with 13.68, Alika Harewood (BAR) is second with 14.31 and Kewes Gomes (TTO) is third with 14.58.

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#9.25am: The 100m Hurdles U-17 Girls Semi-Finals is about to get underway.

#9.05am: The third and final day of the CARIFTA Games is now underway at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium with the Javelin Throw U-17 Girls Final taking place.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/10/carifta-games-day-three-live/?news

CARIFTA GAMES: Bahamas tops last year’s medal count, finishes second behind Jamaica

The Bahamas’ mixed 4 x 400m team of Tumani Skinner, Lacarthea Cooper, Shimar Bain and Javónya Valcourt celebrate their CARIFTA Games gold medal victory on Sunday night at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium. Three days of thrilling competition came to a close last night. Photo: Moise Amisial

As of Tuesday, April 11, 2023

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AMARI PRATT, bronze medallist in the under 20 girls 200 metres finals.

The U17 women’s 100m relay team

BRINGING HOME THE GOLD: Ishmael Rolle (131) brings home the gold for Team Bahamas in the under-17 boys 4×100 metre relay.

Annae Mackey of the Bahamas in the Girls U20 shot put final. She finished in fourth place with 13.25m.

#By TENAJH SWEETING

#tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

#THE 50th Oaktree Medical CARIFTA Games wrapped up last night at the Thomas A Robinson stadium.

#The athletes of Team Bahamas shone on and off the track to add to the home country’s medal count. Going into the final day, The Bahamas had already surpassed last year’s medal count with a total of 26 medals after two days of action.

DRUMECO ARCHER, president of the BAAA, shares a special moment with two-time gold medallist Jamiah Nabbie.

#The team secured 17 medals at last year’s CARIFTA Games. Team Bahamas wrapped up the games in second place behind Jamaica.

#In the final day of action, more athletes added medals to the fold for Team Bahamas. Kamera Strachan and Dior-Rae Scott finished first and second respectively in the under 17 women’s javelin. Strachan notched a throwing distance of 46.07m to claim gold for The Bahamas. Her teammate secured silver with a throwing distance of 45.13m.

#The young athletes talked about how it felt to finish first and second alongside each other.

#“Last year I came fourth and I was a little sad but now I set my mind to say I am gonna get the record,” Strachan said.

#Scott talked about how it felt to get a personal best in the competition.

#“I am really excited that I was able to personal best and I am more than proud of my teammate. It wasn’t what I expected but I am still proud of myself nevertheless,” she said.

Vanessa Sawyer in action on Sunday. Photo: Austin Fernander

#In more gold in action on day three, Jamiah Nabbie collected her second gold medal in the under 17 girls 200m finals. She clocked a time of 23.67 in the highly anticipated finals race. She was followed by Naomi London for second place and Jamaica’s Natrece East, who came third with 23.85.

#Nabbie talked about how it felt to win the second gold medal for herself and The Bahamas. “It feels amazing. I came into the race a little fatigued and tight from the events over the past weekend but I still came out with a gold. I pushed hard in my race and I wanted to make my parents and country proud,” the gold medallist said.

Lanisha Lubin

#She added that her motivation during the last couple meets was to keep her eyes on the finish line, not put too much pressure on herself, and keep her pace to come out with the win.

#The under 17 girls 200m finals gave momentum to the boys because they came right behind to win gold and bronze in the same race.

#Cayden Smith, gold medallist in the under 17 200m finals, came out with the win after running a time of 21.70. He was joined by fellow teammate Andrew Brown who picked up bronze after a third place finish of 22.03.

GOLDEN BOYS: SHOWN, from left to right, are Trent Ford, Andrew Brown, Ishmael Rolle and Cayden Smith.

#The duo talked about how it felt to add gold and bronze to the Bahamas’ medal count.

#Smith said it felt amazing to win a gold medal for his country. He said his strategy was to hit the curve hard and once he got on the straight away, he felt good so he just took off to secure the win.

#Bronze medallist Brown said it felt good to get the win and wasn’t sure about it because his legs started to lose power towards the end of the race, but he used his strides to help him get third position after being fourth and fifth throughout the race. Team Bahamas added a silver medal to their count courtesy of Otto Laing in the under 20 boys 110m hurdles. Laing held on to the second place finish while notching a time of 13.49. He was followed by teammate Trayshaun Robinson who took bronze after running 14.05.

#Laing talked about how it felt to get the silver medal for the home country.

#“Going through the race I knew I had to be able to execute my race to the best of my abilities, bring my third leg around, run through the hurdles and then when I came off the last one make sure [to] run through the line,” Laing said.

#In more hurdles action, Quinton Rolle secured bronze for The Bahamas in the under 17 boys 110m hurdles race. The Team Bahamas athlete finished behind Jamaica’s Kahiem Carby and Shakir Lewis for a third place finish. He clocked a time of 14.49 securing the first medal of day three’s evening session.

#Another bronze medal was earned by Bahamas’ Amari Pratt in the under 20 girls 200m finals after she notched a time of 24.17. Pratt said she was a little nervous after the two false starts by her competitors in the race. She said she felt pretty good about her performance and her main focus was to just keep stepping over, and to move her arms leading to a bronze medal finish.

#Among the rest of yesterday’s medalists for Team Bahamas was Adam Musgrove in the under 20 boys 200m finals (bronze), the under 17 girls 4x400m relay team (bronze), the under 17 boys 4x400m (silver), and the under 20 girls 4x400m relays (bronze).

#After an exciting three days of track and field action, Drumeco Archer president of The Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA) talked about his thoughts on this year’s CARIFTA team.

#“I think we came, we saw, we conquered, and we did exactly what we had planned to do. We know that we have some work to do but we showed up and showed we were a force to be reckoned with,” Archer said.

#He said he believes the team has amassed maybe three times more medals than the team last year. He thinks that this year’s team was nothing short of excellent and they could not have done a better job.

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#Here is a look at the medal winners for The Bahamas from the Oaktree Medical Center’s 50th CARIFTA Games held over the Easter holiday weekend at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.

#Gold medallists

#Kaden Cartwright, under-20 boys javelin, 210-feet, 2-inches or 64.07m,

#Jamiah Nabbie, under-17 girls 100m, 11.67.

#Boys under-17 4 x 100m relay team of Trent Ford, Andrew Brown, Cayden Smith and Ishmael Rolle, 41.46.

#Brenden Vanderpool, under-20 boys pole vault, 16-7 ¼ (5.06m).

#Kamera Strachan, under-17 girls javelin, 43.59m.

#Under-20 mixed 4 x 400 relay team of Javonya Valcourt, Lacarthea Cooper, Tamani Skinner and Shimar Bain, 3:24.62.

#Kenyce Scavella, under-17 girls discus, 32.70m.

#Jamiah Nabbie, girls under-17 200m, 23.67.

#Caden Smith, under-17 boys 200m, 21.70

#Silver medallists

#Javonya Valcourt, under-20 girls 400m, 52.12.

#Lanaisha Lubin, under-20 girls triple jump, 40-8 ¼ (12.40m).

#Ishmael Rolle, under-17 boys 100m, 10.62.

#Carlos Brown Jr, under-20 boys 100m, 10.38.

#Darvinique Dean, under-17 girls 400m hurdles, 1:02.50.

#Lavardo Deveaux, under-20 boys octathlon, 5,197 points.

#Boys under-20 4 x 100m relay team of Zachary Rahming, Adam Musgrove and Carlos Brown Jr, 39.78.

#Girls under-17 4 x 100m relay team of Darvinique Dean, Jamiah Nabbie, Bayli Major and Shayann Demeritte, 46.43.

#Dior-Rae Scott, under-17 girls javelin, 42.29.

#Otto Laing, under-20 boys 110m hurdles, 13.49.

#Under-17 boys 4 x 400m relay team, 3:20.47.

#Laquan Ellis, under-20 triple jump, 48-11 ½ (14.92m.

#Bronze medallists

#Erin Barr, under-17 girls 1,500m, 4:54.09.

#Terrell McCoy, under-17 girls shot put, 43-feet, 8-inches (13.31m). Andrew Brown, under-17 boys 400m, 48.68.

#Lacarthea Cooper, under-20 girls 400m, 53.12.

#Adam Musgrove, under-20 boys 100m, 10.44.

#Vanessa Sawyer, under-20 girls javelin, 142-3 (43.37m).

#Mateo Smith, under-20 boys long jump, 24-5 (7.44m).

#Reuben Bain, under-17 boys shot put, 45-2 ½ (13.78m).

#Shimar Bain, under-20 boys 400m hurdles, 49.92.

#Akaya Lightbourne, under-20 girls 3,000m, 10:47.01.

#Girls under-20 4 x 100m relay team of Amari Pratt, Melvinique Gibson and Shataiya Dorsette, 45.55.

#Tyler Cash, under-20 boys pole vault, 14-7 ¼ (4.45m).

#Joshua Williams, under-17 boys high jump, 6-2 ¾ (1.90m).

#Quinton Rolle, under-17 boys 110m hurdles, 14.49.

#Andrew Brown, under-17 boys 200m, 22.03.

#Amari Pratt, under-20 girls 200m, 24.17.

#Adam Musgrove, under-20 boys 200m, 20.96.

#Under-17 girls 4 x 400m relay team, 3:51.60.

#Under-20 girls 4 x 400m relay team, 3:47.68.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/apr/11/bahamas-second-overall-behind-powerhouse-jamaica/?news